[NH 66-Uttara Kannada Landslide] Bodies Of 7 Out Of 10 Missing Persons Recovered, Search Ongoing To Find Others: Union Govt Tells Karnataka High Court

The Union of India has informed the Karnataka High Court that out of 10 people missing, bodies of 7 persons have been recovered and joint operations are still under progress to find others who suffered due to a landslide which occurred on July 16, on National Highway 66 in Uttara Kannada district, following heavy rainfall.

Deputy Solicitor General H Shanthi Bhushan filed a status report before the court stating that Indian Navy deployed two IN diving teams based on requisition from district authority for locating a LPG tanker in coordination with the NDRF on July 17. From July 19, two IN teams were deployed with high resolution sonar to locate another truck & persons who were missing. Further a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) team of the Indian Army, was also deployed on July 21.

The status report was made in the petition filed by two advocates seeking deployment of Indian Army personnel for rescue operations of those who suffered in the landslide following heavy rainfall.

The petition is filed by Advocates Siji Malayil and Subhash Chandran KR. The Supreme Court by its order dated July 22, refused to entertain the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner to forthwith approach the jurisdictional High Court i.e. the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore and make a request before the Chief Justice for immediate listing of the matter.

As per local residents, at least one truck and three cars are still stuck under the debris left behind by the landslide. Yet, during the first 4 days, the authorities simply engaged in path clearing works with limited manpower and equipment without considering the seriousness of the situation.

The plea states that the petitioners are aggrieved by the inactions from the part of Respondent No.2 State Karnataka and police authorities as they are reluctant to deploy manpower and machines with immediate effect for rescue operations.

A direction is sought to the respondents (Union and State Government) to take all possible steps by clearing the entire debris round the clock to locate the stranded human life and vehicles by using scientific methods.

The matter will be heard tomorrow.

Case Title: Siji Malayil & ANR And Union of India & ANR
Case No: WP 19409/2024

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